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JVC KD-R520 CD receiver

Item # 105KDR520

Your iPhone® is many things — it's a music player, a movie viewer, a camera, a phone, and your constant...

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Your iPhone® is many things — it's a music player, a movie viewer, a camera, a phone, and your constant...

Item # 105KDR520

Shop all JVC Car Stereos

About the JVC KD-R520

Zak Billmeier
Your iPhone® is many things — it's a music player, a movie viewer, a camera, a phone, and your constant companion. Yet you're still plugging it into your car radio's auxiliary input, which immediately degrades the sound quality. You also have to fumble around with the phone to change tunes while you're driving, which is inconvenient and unsafe. JVC thinks you deserve better, so they made the KD-R520 CD receiver just for iPhone lovers like you.

Your iPhone® is many things — it's a music player, a movie viewer, a camera, a phone, and your constant companion. Yet you're still plugging it into your car radio's auxiliary input, which immediately degrades the sound quality. You also have to fumble around with the phone to change tunes while you're driving, which is inconvenient and unsafe. JVC thinks you deserve better, so they made the KD-R520 CD receiver just for iPhone lovers like you.

USB input for iPod®, iPhone, and USB drives
Once you've connected your iPod or iPhone to the handy front-panel USB slot, you can use the receiver's driver-friendly controls to access and enjoy your playlists. You can also plug in a USB drive loaded with digital files, and scroll through your tunes that way. Either way, you'll get the superior sound and functionality only a direct USB connection can offer.

Extra inputs
The KD-R520 features two auxiliary inputs, one on the front panel and one in back. This way, you can hook up a more permanent source, like a Dock & Play satellite radio, to the rear input, while leaving the convenient front input for connecting your iPod® or another MP3 player. You can load up a CD with MP3 and WMA files, too — it's easy to fit several albums on a single disc that way.

Complete control over your sound
JVC packs the KD-R520 with a strong built-in amp and a 3-band parametric EQ, so you can dial in the perfect tone to match your car's interior. A built-in high-pass filter lets you trim the low bass from your speakers, allowing them to run at peak efficiency. Two sets of preamp outputs send a clean signal to your amps. You can even switch the rear preamp outputs to subwoofer mode, then use the subwoofer level control for on-the-fly changes.

Add hands-free calling
You take a lot of calls while you're in the car, so why risk an accident fumbling around for your phone or driving with one hand? Experience the safety and convenience of hands-free calling with JVC's Bluetooth® adapter. When a call comes in, you'll talk naturally and hear your caller over your speakers — just like you're talking to someone in the front seat. Most importantly, you can concentrate on your driving.

iPod note:
If you're going to use your iPod with this receiver, be sure to check "Details" for specific iPod model compatibility with this receiver or its optional iPod adapter.

READ LESS

Product highlights:

    General features:
    • CD receiver with AM/FM tuner
    • built-in MOSFET amplifier (20 watts RMS CEA-2006/50 peak x 4 channels)
    • plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs and MP3/WMA files on disc
    • detachable face
    • remote control
    Audio features:
    • iEQ 3-band equalizer with six preset tone settings
    • high-pass filter and subwoofer level control
    • 24-bit digital-to-analog converter
    Expandability:
    • compatible with JVC's Bluetooth adapter
    • inputs: front-panel and rear auxiliary inputs, front-panel USB input
    • outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (2.5-volt front, selectable rear/sub)
    Other info:

    What's in the box:

    • AM/FM CD receiver (with 10-amp ATC fuse inserted into chassis)
    • Face (attached)
    • Sleeve (installed)
    • Trim ring (installed)
    • Wiring harness
    • Wireless remote control (RM-RK52)
    • CR2025 3V Lithium battery (installed)
    • 2 Radio removal tools
    • Face security screw
    • Instructions (Eng/Fre/Spa)
    • Installation/Connection Manual (Eng/Fre/Spa)
    • US Warranty Sheet
    • Canadian Warranty Card
    • Product Registration Card/Questionnaire
    • Face security screw note
    • "Caution!" note (attached to wiring harness)

    Customer reviews for JVC KD-R520

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    More details on the JVC KD-R520

    Stacey B.

    Features & specs

    Expandability
    AUX Input Front and Rear
    Audio/video Input ---
    USB Input Front
    USB Port Power ---
    Backup Camera Input No
    Second Camera Input No
    CarPlay No
    Android Auto No
    Siri Control No
    Alexa Voice Control
    Android Control No
    Memory Card Slot USB memory
    Bluetooth Compatible Optional
    Satellite Radio Ready No
    HD Radio No
    Navigation ---
    iPod Compatibility
    Full size Classic/5Gen
    Nano Nano6/Nano5/Nano4/Nano3/Nano2/
    Touch Touch4/Touch3/Touch2/Touch1
    iPhone Phone4S/Phone4/Phone3GS/Phone3
    General
    RMS Power (CTA-2006) 20 watts
    RMS Power (Manufacturer) ---
    Peak Output 50 watts
    RMS Power Bandwidth 20-20kHz
    Preamp Outputs 4-channel
    Sub Preamp Outputs No
    Switchable Rear Preamp Outputs Yes
    Video Screen No
    Navigation App Compatible (iOS)
    Navigation App Compatible (Android)
    Preamp Voltage 2.5 volts
    Screen Size ---
    Screen Type ---
    Display Color White
    Key Button Color Red
    EQ Bands 3
    Wireless Remote Yes
    Steering Wheel Control Compatible No
    Parts Warranty 1 Year
    Labor Warranty 1 Year
    Tuner
    FM Sensitivity 9.3 dBf
    European Tuning Yes
    Seek/Scan Seek
    Radio Data System No
    File Playback
    Music File Playback MP3, WMA
    High-res Playback

    Product Research

    Display Features
    Audio Section
    Radio Functions
    Disc Playback
    USB/iPod/Aux Connectivity
    Bluetooth/Remote Control

    Display Features

    Detachable Face: The JVC KD-R520 features a detachable face to deter theft. A face-fixing screw is supplied for making the face non-detachable, if desired.

    Note: No face case is included with this unit. An optional soft face case (142DFC1X, sold separately) can be purchased for this unit.

    LCD: The head unit features a 12-segment, two-line LCD with adjustable brightness and dimmer settings.

    Brightness: The unit offers an adjustable display and button illumination brightness level (0-31) for day and nighttime driving.

    Display/Button Illumination Dimmer: The display/button illumination dimmer can be set to Off (normal brightness at all times), On (display/button illumination is always dimmed), or Auto (display dims when 12-volts is applied to the orange/white illumination lead).

    Audio Section

    24 Bit D/A Converter: The JVC KD-R520 utilizes a 24-bit digital to analog converter for superior CD sound quality.

    MOSFET Amplifier: The KD-R520 is equipped with a MOSFET amplifier. Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, and it delivers increased power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. More power means louder and cleaner music at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit.

    CEA2006 Compliant: The power specifications for the KD-R520 are compliant with the CEA2006 Mobile Amplifier Power Testing and Measurement standards from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). These standards were developed as a way to equitably compare power specs from model to model and between manufacturers. The power output specs for the KD-R520 are as follows:

    • CEA2006 Specs: 20 watts RMS x 4 channels (at 4 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 1% THD-N)
    • Maximum Power Output: 50 watts x 4 channels (200 total watts)

    Amplifier Gain Control: When you are using the KD-R520 with factory speakers (or those rated to less than 50 watts peak), the Amplifier Gain Control can limit the amount of power being sent to those speakers. When the Amp Gain Control is set to "low," the volume control ranges from 0 (minimum) to 30 (maximum). When using speakers rated higher than 50 watts peak, you can set the Amp Gain Control to "high," and the volume control will range from 0 to 50.

    Volume Adjust: The input level of each source (other than FM) is adjustable relative to the FM radio volume, so there isn't a significant volume difference when changing sources. Each source is individually adjustable from -5 to +5.

    Pro EQ: The KD-R520 is equipped with JVC's Pro EQ. The integrated equalizer offers 7 preset sound modes (Flat, Natural, Dynamic, Vocal Boost, Bass Boost, User) suitable for the music genre of your choice. The User mode allows you to manually adjust the head unit's 3-band parametric EQ (Frequency, Level, and Q-Factor).

    Tone Pro EQ
    Frequency Level Q
    Bass 60, 80, 100, 200 Hz +/- 12 dB (-6 to +6) 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0
    Midrange 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 kHz +/- 12 dB (-6 to +6) 0.75, 1.0, 1.25
    Treble 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5 khz +/- 12 dB (-6 to +6) Fixed

    Loud (Loudness): This feature boosts low and high frequencies to produce a well-balanced sound at a low volume level. You can turn this feature on or off.

    2.5V/4CH Preamp Output: The KD-R520 is equipped with two pair of 2.5V preamp outputs (Front, Rear/SW). You can set the Rear/SW preamp outputs for connecting a pair of full-range rear speakers (through an external amplifier) or for connecting a subwoofer (through an external amplifier). When set for rear speakers, the rear outputs operate with the unit's fader control. When set for subwoofer, the outputs are non-fading.

    Built-in Crossovers: The JVC KD-R520 features a built-in high-pass filter for the unit's front & rear speakers and a low-pass filter for the unit's subwoofer output.

    • High-Pass Filter: You can activate a high-pass filter (fixed) for the unit's front & rear channels (speaker- or preamp-level), so low frequency signals are cut off from your system's front & rear speakers.
    • Low-Pass Filter: When the unit's Rear/SW preamp output is set to Subwoofer, you can set the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter at 55Hz, 85Hz, or 120Hz.

    Subwoofer Level: When the unit's Rear/SW preamp output is set to Subwoofer, you can adjust the head unit's subwoofer level between 0 and 8.

    Key-Touch Tone: The in-dash head unit provides an audible beep to confirm button operation. This function can be turned On or Off.

    Radio Functions

    AM/FM Tuner: The JVC KD-R520 features a built-in AM/FM tuner with manual, seek, and preset tuning.

    Preset Tuning: You can store a total of 18 FM stations presets and 6 AM station presets. The radio allows you to set your AM/FM stations manually or automatically.

    IF Filter: You can also switch the tuner's IF filter to Wide or Auto to increase/decrease the sensitivity.

    Mono: If an analog FM stereo broadcast is hard to receive, you can manually switch the tuner to Mono operation.

    US/European Tuning: You can set the built-in AM/FM tuner between US standard and European tuning spacing,

    Disc Playback

    Disc Compatibility: The unit features a single disc player that will playback CD-Audio, CD-Text, and finalized CD-R/CD-RW audio discs.

    MP3/WMA Playback: The KD-R520 can play MP3 (8-320 kbps)/WMA files (8-192 kbps) that have been recorded on CD-R and CD-RW discs. The disc must be recorded in one of the following formats: ISO 9660 Level 1/Level 2, Joliet, Romeo or Windows long file. Each disc can have a maximum of 8 folder hierarchies, 255 folders, and no more than a total of 512 files and/or folders on each disc. The unit also supports IDTag3 (version 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4) for album and artist information from MP3 or WMA files.

    Track/Folder List: The Track/Folder List displays a list of MP3/WMA folders and tracks on a loaded CD, so you can easily access your music. The Track/Folder List will also display the list of track titles on a CD Text disc. If the MP3/WMA disc contains a lot of tracks, you can fast search (+/-10 or +/-100) through the disc by turning the unit's control dial quickly.

    Random/Repeat Modes: The JVC KD-R520 offers the following Repeat and Random playback modes for your audio CDs.

    • Repeat: Track Repeat (plays the current track repeatedly), Folder Repeat (plays all tracks of the current folder repeatedly), Off (cancels repeat function)
    • Random: Folder Random (plays all tracks of the current folder, then the tracks of the next folder in random), All Random (plays all tracks of the current disc at random), Off (cancels random function)

    Disc Resume: If you change the source, playback also stops (without ejecting the disc). Next time you select CD for the playback source, the disc will start from where it has been stopped previously.

    Off Insert/Eject: A CD disc can be inserted or ejected with the power off. When a disc is inserted with the power off, the unit will automatically power up and begin playback.

    Disc Protection: If the ejected disc is not removed within 15 seconds, the disc is automatically inserted again into the loading slot to protect it from dust. The source will change to CD, and the disc will begin playback, even if you have another source selected at the time.

    Mounting: For proper disc playback you must install the unit within 30-degrees of horizontal.

    USB/iPod/Aux Connectivity

    USB Port: The JVC KD-R520 features a front panel USB 2.0 type-A port behind a sliding cover for connection of a USB mass-storage class device. The USB port enables audio playback and control of MP3(8-320 kbps)/WMA (8-192 kbps) audio files stored on a portable USB mass-storage class device formatted in FAT 12/16/32. The KD-R520 can recognize up to 255 folders (255 files per folder) and 65,025 total files. The unit also supports IDTag3 (version 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4) for album and artist information from MP3/WMA files (up to 60 characters).

    Note: You cannot connect a USB device via a USB hub or Multi-Card Reader to this unit.

    iPod/iPhone Direct: The JVC KD-R520's front-panel USB port also acts as an iPod/iPhone high-speed direct connection when used with the USB/iPod cable that came with your iPod/iPhone. An additional iPod cable is available (469USBPOD, sold separately) so you can leave one at home and one in the car. Using either cable allows audio playback, music navigation, information display, and charging of select iPod/iPhone models from the JVC in-dash head unit.

    iPod/iPhone Audio Playback: The USB connection allows your iPod/iPhone's large music libraries to be loaded instantly to the JVC head unit and sound quality to be maximized through the head unit's 24-bit D/A converter, allowing for a Signal to Noise ratio up to 98dB. The JVC KD-R520 supports audio playback of music files, podcasts, and apps stored on your iPod or iPhone.

    iPod/iPhone Control: You can choose to control the iPod/iPhone from the head unit or from your iPod/iPhone's clickwheel or touchscreen.

    • Music Browsing: From the head unit's front-panel controls you can search your iPod/iPhone's music by Category (Playlist/Artist/Album/Song/Genre/Composer). If the selected category contains a high number of tracks, you can fast search (+/-10, 100, 1000) through the music tracks in that particular category by simply turning the head unit's control dial.
    • Repeat & Random: The KD-R520 also supports Repeat (file/all) and Random (album/all) playback functions of your iPod/iPhone.

    Note: You can listen to apps stored on your iPhone through the JVC head unit when controlling the iPhone via its touchscreen (cannot access apps via head unit control mode).

    iPod/iPhone Display: The KD-R520 will display your iPod/iPhone's music file information, regardless of control mode. The head unit will display Track number, Elapsed playing time, Artist name, Song title, and Album label.

    iPod/iPhone Charging: While connected and the ignition switch is set to ACC or ON, the head unit's USB connection will power and charge your iPod/iPhone.

    Note: If your iPod/iPhone has no initial battery charge, then the unit will not recognize it.

    iPod/iPhone Compatibility Chart: The JVC KD-R520 is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone model features (as of February 2011):

    iPod/iPhone Model Generation Tested Version Media Type Control Type Display Type Charge
    Audio Video Head Unit iPod/iPhone Song/Artist Text Track Info
    dock connector 3rd N/A N N N N N N N
    clickwheel
    color
    4th N/A N N N N N N N
    mini 1st N/A N N N N N N N
    2nd N/A N N N N N N N
    video 5th 1.3 Y N Y N Y Y Y
    classic 80GB 1.1.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    120GB 2.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    160GB 2.0.4 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    nano 1st 1.3.1 Y N Y N Y Y Y
    2nd 1.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3rd 1.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4th 1.0.4 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    5th 1.0.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    6th 1.1PC Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    touch 1st 2.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    2nd 4.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3rd 5.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4th 5.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    iPhone 2G 3.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3G 4.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3GS 4.3.5 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4 5.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4S 5.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y

    Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the head unit and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to revert to the older software version or wait until a newer software update is available.

    Dual Auxiliary Inputs: A front-panel & rear-panel stereo minijack are provided to allow the connection of portable audio sources. Simply connect your portable digital music player to either the unit's front or rear auxiliary input, and you can listen to the audio from the portable player through the speakers in your mobile audio system.

    Bluetooth/Remote Control

    Optional Bluetooth: The unit's rear-panel auxiliary input can also be used to connect JVC's KS-BTA100 Bluetooth Adapter (105KSBTA10, sold separately). The KS-BTA100 gives you hands-free communication from your compatible Bluetooth mobile phone and wireless streaming audio from a Bluetooth enabled digital audio player. The optional JVC Bluetooth Adapter includes a super-sensitive microphone, an Answer/End button, and playback controls. The KD-R520 can be set to automatically mute any music audio to your vehicle's speakers so you can listen to your telephone call using your car speakers.

    Wireless Remote Control: The KD-R520 comes supplied with a wireless remote control (RM-RK52). The remote contains Attenuator, Sound, Source, Tracking, and Volume functions. The remote operates off of a single CR2025 3V Lithium-cell battery (included).

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